Where is Çimenli Geçidi?
Turkey, europe
77 km
2,337 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Çimenli Geçidi is calling, a mountain pass soaring to 7,667 feet in Turkey's Erzurum Province. You'll find this beauty in the Eastern Anatolia region, way up in the northeast.
The road? Smooth as butter – fully paved, so no need for a heavy-duty off-roader! Just be ready for some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 9% in places. Hope your engine's ready for a workout!
The whole shebang stretches for 48 glorious miles, winding from Esendere up to Oltu in a south-to-north direction. Good news: it's usually open year-round. Bad news: those crazy winter storms can shut things down on a dime, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. You'll be driving through some seriously stunning scenery, though, so have your camera ready!
Road Details
- Country
- Turkey
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 77 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,337 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Col de Viraysse?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France, itching for an adventure. I've got just the thing: Col de Viraysse, a mountain pass that tops out at a staggering 2,746m (9,009ft)! This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a super-narrow, unpaved road that snakes its way up through the mountains with endless hairpin turns and inclines hitting 17%. Parts of it are barely wide enough for one car, and let's just say there are some seriously exposed drops – hundreds of meters, no guardrails in sight. So, if you're not a fan of heights, maybe skip this one! This old military road, built way back in the late 1880s, climbs 995m over just 9.6 km (5.96 miles) from the D225 road. That's an average gradient of over 10%! Heads up: it's usually closed from September to June because, you know, *mountains*. But trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the views are unreal. From the top, you'll be gazing out over Italy, the Mercantour, and the Ubaye Valley. Plus, you can even hike up to Fort de Viraysse, an old military complex perched at 2,772m (9,094ft). It was built to defend France from Italy, and gives you a clear view of the Italian border. Seriously epic stuff!
extremeDriving the unpaved road to Col du Mottet in the Vanoise National Park
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Mottet: A High-Alpine Adventure Tucked away in the Savoie department of France, Col du Mottet sits at a seriously impressive 2,374 meters (7,788 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass—also known as Col de Roche Blanche—is nestled within the stunning Massif de la Vanoise, serving as the dramatic link between Valmorel and the Bellevilles valley. You'll find it at coordinates 45.4299, 6.4266, perched on a ridge that separates two valleys and offering jaw-dropping views toward the Mont Blanc massif. **What You're Getting Into** Fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The route climbs roughly 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from Les Avanchers-Valmorel with unforgiving, sustained steepness—some sections hit a brutal 15% gradient. We're talking a narrow, unpaved service road with loose shale and chunky embedded rocks that'll test your nerves. Throw in wet conditions, and the whole thing transforms into a muddy nightmare with virtually zero traction. This is serious 4x4 territory. You'll need low-range gears, high clearance, and genuine skill to navigate the deep ruts without destroying your undercarriage. Add in the exposed hairpins with stomach-dropping vertical drops and zero safety barriers, and you've got yourself a proper challenge. **Timing Matters** Mark your calendar: this route is completely impassable from October through June thanks to heavy snow. Even beyond the weather, there are significant legal and access restrictions to contend with. Plan accordingly, bring your A-game, and respect what this mountain demands.
hardHow to get by car to Old Tragjas, the Abandoned Village Destroyed by Bombs
🇦🇱 Albania
Okay, picture this: you're in Albania, about 25km from Vlora, heading to a ghost village called Tragjasi i Vjetër. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! The road? Let's just say "unpaved" is an understatement. We're talking rugged, narrow, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or your motorhome). A higher-clearance car is your best bet for this adventure. The road kicks off from the new Tragjas village and stretches for about 5.1 km (3.16 miles), climbing 263 meters. That's an average gradient of 5.15%, so buckle up for a climb. The scenery, though? Totally worth it. Think jaw-dropping vistas and panoramic views. You'll wind your way up to the Pass of the Tombs – a spot named for the ancient tombs scattered around. This shaped hill offers insane views of Orikum and the coastline. Tragjasi i Vjetër is an old village in ruins located in Vlorë County, Albania. It's structurally dangerous and you should proceed with caution. The town was bombed in 1943 because of partisan sympathies. This place oozes history and the architectural remnants are seriously cool. If you're into exploring ruins and soaking up some seriously epic scenery, Tragjasi i Vjetër needs to be on your radar!
hardA military road to Colle Bandia
🇮🇹 Italy
# Colle Bandia Tucked away in Italy's northwestern corner, Colle Bandia sits at 2,429m (7,969ft) in the Province of Cuneo, perched right on the border between the Stura Valley and Maira Valley. This is seriously high-altitude terrain in the Cottian Alps of Piedmont, and you're practically touching the French border from up here. The 3.8km (2.36-mile) route runs west to east, connecting Colle Margherina to Colle di Valcavera, and it's mostly unpaved—think rough mountain cart track rather than polished highway. The good news? It's totally doable in a regular passenger car when the weather cooperates. The bad news? It's narrow. Like, *really* narrow. Meeting another vehicle head-on isn't just inconvenient; it's a genuine puzzle you'll want to avoid. The slope is pretty gentle for a mountain pass, which helps, but this is definitely a road that demands respect and patience. What makes it worthwhile are the incredible views and the fascinating military history scattered along the route. You'll spot abandoned military barracks dotting the landscape, including the Caserme della Bandia near the summit—remnants of Italy's defensive past that add real character to the drive. Skip this one if you're nervous about tight spaces, but if you're up for an adventure with a side of Alpine history and panoramic mountain vistas, Colle Bandia delivers the goods.